COUNCIL PUBLIC INFORMATION NEWS RELEASEIMMEDIATE RELEASE TO BE FORWARDED AND SHAREDTuesday 10 January 2012

Richmond Redistricting Plan sent to the U. S. Department of Justice: Richmond Residents invited to provide comments for consideration

Next step is for U.S. Department of Justice for preclearance (approval)

WHAT Today, January 10, 2012, the City of Richmond Office of the City Attorney submitted the 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting Plan to the United States Department of Justice in Accordance with the Code of Federal Regulations (28 C.F.R. §§ 51.27 AND 51.28), for review and preclearance (approval). A duplicate copy of the Submission is available for public inspection at the following locations:

Richmond City Council Office of the City Clerk Richmond City Hall 900 East Broad Street, Suite 200 Richmond, Virginia 23219

CONTACT For more information and/or to discuss the Richmond City Council 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting plans or process, Richmond citizens should contact the Richmond City Council Councilmember (contact information below) that represents them or Steve Skinner, Council Public Information Manager, Richmond City Council Office of the Council Chief of Staff, at 804.646.6052 (o); or, steven.skinner@richmondgov.com

On January 9, 2012, Richmond City Council (during its Formal Meeting) approved/adopted the 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting - Richmond Voting Precincts and Richmond Voting Locations/Polling Places. The approved locations represent the second part of the comprehensive 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting Plan.

The next step in the process is for the adopted 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting Voter District Boundary Plan and Richmond Voting Precincts and Richmond Voting Locations/Polling Places to be sent to the United States of America Department of Justice for preclearance (approval).

The new Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting plan, which attempts to equalize the number of residents in each Richmond Voter District based on city population shifts and increases reported by the 2010 U.S. Census, represents an overall percentage population variance between the nine Richmond Voter Districts of 8.2 percent.

During the past 10 years, Richmond's population increased from 197,790 to 204,214. Changes included (among others) a sizable population increase (+3,862) in the old North Central 2nd District and significant decreases (-3,460) in the old Northside 3rd District.

The approved 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting Voter District Boundary Plan was approved during the Richmond City Council Formal Meeting on Monday, November 28, 2011. The plan was contained in Richmond City Council Ordinance Number 2011-185 (As Amended).

2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District RedistrictingWe, as Americans, govern ourselves at the state, local and national level and choose (elect) fellow citizens to assist us with the ownership and operation of our government. In order to do this, we organize ourselves into geographical areas (districts) based on population and we use these "voter districts" to determine where we vote, which positions we vote for and who we wish to represent us. This self-governance includes deciding how tax monies are invested; what laws are needed; and, what types of services are provided and how they are managed.

As populations shift over time, we redraw (redistrict) these areas to reflect population changes and help ensure everyone is represented as fairly as possible. Thus, every 10 years (decennially), we perform a United States Census to gather statistical information about ourselves and we use this (in accordance with state, local and federal guidelines) to update the boundary lines of our voting districts.

In 2011, Richmond City Council will redraw (redistrict) the existing nine Richmond Voter District boundaries that we use to elect our local Richmond Elected Government Officials (which include: Members of Richmond City Council, Mayor of Richmond, Richmond Public Schools Board of Trustees) in response to results of the 2010 U.S. Census. Adjustments to voting precincts and locations may also be made at this time.

New Richmond Voter Districts are to be based on the 2010 Census population figures for Richmond (available from U.S. Census website, at www.census.gov) and the following criteria (the first five of which are mandatory) and the following four were adopted by Richmond City Council, by Council Resolution on February 28, 2011:

1. Equal population (Making voter districts, as near equal population as possible.)2. Compactness (Making voter district shapes as closely packed as possible.)3. Contiguity (Making voter district physically encompassed/connected, which may include spanning water.)4. Avoidance of split U.S. Census Blocks (Not dividing the smallest geographic unit of census data when forming precincts/districts.)5. Compliance with the Voting Rights Act (Redistricting Plan must comply with the U.S. Voting Rights Act and be approved by the U. S. Department of Justice6. The 2011 redistricting plan should, if possible, avoid splits of voting precincts between the Council, School Board, state legislative and congressional election districts.7. The 2011 redistricting plan should maximize voter convenience and the effective administration of elections.8. The 2011 redistricting plan should preserve communities of interest.9. The 2011 redistricting plan should, if possible, consolidate smaller voting precincts so that the number of registered voters in each precinct is at least the statewide average of 2,013.

As Richmond citizens, we use our Richmond Voter Districts to elect the following positions that are established in the Richmond City Charter:

Richmond City Charter Officials• A Mayor (who must receive the most votes in at least five of the nine Richmond Voter Districts and who serves a 4-year term)• Members of Richmond City Council (elected by Richmond Voter District to serve four-year terms)• Richmond Public Schools Board Trustees (elected by Richmond Voter District to serve four-year terms)

Virginia Constitutional Officers (Elected Government Officials)Additional local positions we elect persons to include Virginia Constitutional Officers, which serve at the Richmond level but are established by the Virginia Constitution and are independent of local government. These positions are elected in Richmond citywide (not by district) but voting may be affected due to changes to voting precincts and locations, they include:

• A Richmond Sheriff (elected citywide to serve a 4-year term)• A Virginia Commonwealth’s Attorney of Richmond (elected citywide to serve a 4-year term)• A Richmond Clerk of the Court (elected citywide to serve an 8-year term) • A Richmond Treasurer (elected citywide to serve a 4-year term)

National and State Elected Government OfficialsVoting for the following national and state positions may also be affected due to changes to Richmond voting precincts and locations (Note: Decennial redistricting of voter districts in which these positions are elected will be performed in 2011 by the Virginia General Assembly:• A President/Vice President of the United States of America (elected nationally to serve a 4-year term)• Members of the United States Senate (elected statewide to serve 6-year terms)• Members of the United States House of Representatives (elected by state districts to serve 2-year terms)• Members of the Virginia State Senate (elected by state districts to serve 4-year terms)• Members of the Virginia House of Delegates (elected by state districts to serve 2-year terms)

2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting InputThe 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting will be a year-long open public process that will include a comprehensive array of public information communications and numerous opportunities for Richmond Citizens to learn more, provide input and participate, which will include many Public Information Meetings, Public Council Meetings, and Public Hearings. All Richmond citizens are invited and encouraged to learn more about the process and to participate during each step of the way. Some of the many ways to engage in this process include:

1. Contacting the Richmond City Council Councilmember that represents you via phone, email, meeting or letter (contact information below)

2. Attending Public Information Meetings, Council Public Meetings and Public Hearings to learn more, ask questions and make suggestions (dates, times and locations listed below)

3. Visiting the 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting website to learn more. The website is located on the City of Richmond website under the “Highlighted Information” button by clicking the word Redistricting. The direct address is: http://www.richmondgov.com/Redistricting/index.aspx. The Redistricting website contains information and documents regarding Richmond’s redistricting process and will be updated with new information throughout the year as the process proceeds. Richmond citizens are invited an encouraged to visit the site, provide input, and to attend all Redistricting meetings scheduled for the process.

7. Signing up for information and Public Information Meetings, Public Council Meeting and Public Hearings email updates/alerts, by sending a request email to: steven.skinner@richmondgov.com

Six Stage Process _______________________________________________________________________The 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting process will be organized into six stages. In the First Stage, Richmond City Council will choose what redistricting criteria are to be used, which will include Public Input and Public Information Meetings, Public Council Meetings and Public Hearings. During this First Stage, Council will implement a multi-faceted and comprehensive Public Information communications plan to help ensure Richmond citizens are aware of the Redistricting process. This Public Information is critical to the process and will continue throughout the process. In the Second Stage Council will vote to adopt their selected criteria, which will include Public Council Meetings and Public Hearings. In the Third Stage, Richmond will receive 2010 U.S. Census Data for Richmond. In the Fourth Stage, Council will use the criteria and Census Data to draft a 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting Plan (This will probably include three proposals to choose from.), which will include Public Information Meetings, Public Council Meetings and Public Hearings. In the Fifth Stage they will vote to adopt a Plan, which will include Public Hearings. New Richmond Voter Districts are to be adopted by December 31, 2011. In the Sixth Stage, they will seek approval (clearance) required from the United States of America Department of Justice per the U. S. National Voting Rights Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. § 1973–1973aa-6).

Public Information Meetings, Public Council Meetings and Public HearingsThroughout this six-stage process, Richmond City Council is implementing a multi-faceted and comprehensive Public Information communications plan to help ensure Richmond citizens are aware of the Redistricting process. As part of this plan, Council will hold and publicize a number of Public Information Meetings, Public Council Meetings and Public Hearings to help provide information, discuss, receive input, and answer questions regarding the 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting. These meetings are free and open to the public and all Richmond Citizens are invited and encouraged to attend. All meeting locations are located on a GRTC bus line and are accessible by people with disabilities. The meetings will include the following topics, dates, times and locations (which are subject to change):

STAGE 1 – Choosing Richmond Redistricting CriteriaRichmond City Council will choose from among a number of criteria to decide which ones they want to use to base their redistricting changes to Richmond Voter Districts. In the first stage of the process they will choose the criteria. There are a number of Mandatory Criteria that must be used. There will be a number of Public Information Meetings and Public Council meetings held with regard to this important part of the process.

Mandatory Redistricting Criteria that Council must use include the following:

Mandatory Redistricting Criteria1. Equal population (Making voter districts, as near equal population as possible.)2. Compactness (Making voter district shapes as closely packed as possible.)3. Contiguity (Making voter district physically encompassed/connected, which may include spanning water.)4. Avoidance of split U.S. Census Blocks (Not dividing the smallest geographic unit of census data when forming precincts/districts.)

Council, at its discretion, may choose (or choose not to) add other Traditional Redistricting Criteria, which may include some, all, none and/or other types of examples of criteria listed below:

Other Traditional Redistricting Criteria1. Avoidance of splits of voting precincts2. Preservation of communities of interest3. Preservation of shape of existing district4. 4. Protection of incumbents and avoidance of pairing of incumbents5. Political fairness or competitiveness6. Voter convenience and effective administration of elections

The following Stage 1 Richmond City Council Public Information Meetings will be held to present and discuss the different redistricting criteria that Richmond City Council may choose to use to base their redistricting changes to Richmond Voter Districts:

Public Input and Pubic Information Meetings to Present and Discuss Redistricting CriteriaThe following Stage 1 Richmond City Council Public Input and Public Information Meetings will be held to present, discuss and receive public input on the legal redistricting requirements and the different criteria that Council may choose from to base redistricting changes to Richmond Voter Districts:

Results of Richmond City Council Public Information Meetings presented to CouncilResults of the Richmond City Council Public Information Meetings will be presented to Council during the following Public Council Informal Meeting:

Richmond City Council discussion of redistricting criteriaRichmond City Council will discuss the criteria they want to choose from during the following Public Richmond City Council Organizational Development Standing Committee Meeting:

Richmond City Council Introduction of Redistricting Criteria ResolutionRichmond City Council will introduce a Resolution that selects the criteria they want to choose from during the following Public Council Formal Meeting

STAGE 2 – Public Hearing and Adoption of Richmond Redistricting CriteriaRichmond City Council will hold the following Public Hearing and vote to officially adopt Richmond Redistricting Criteria during the following Richmond City Council Formal Meeting:

STAGE 3 – 2010 U.S. Census Data for Richmond receivedRichmond City Council will receive the 2010 U.S. Census Data for Richmond and make them available to the public.

February or early March 2011 Data estimated to be received/available from U.S. Census Office in late February or early March 2011

STAGE 4 – Public Council Meetings and Public Hearings regarding Draft 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter Redistricting PlanRichmond City Council will use their officially adopted redistricting criteria and the 2010 U.S. Census Data to draft a 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting Plan. As part of this process, Richmond City Council will hold Public Information Meetings, Public Council Meetings and Public Hearings. These will include information regarding legal requirements for redistricting, criteria selected by Council, Richmond population shifts over the past 10 years and the approval (clearance) required from the United States of America Department of Justice per the U. S. National Voting Rights Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. § 1973–1973aa-6).

Initial Draft 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting Plan worked on by CouncilRichmond City Council works on plan for redistricting - meetings and locations to be scheduled as needed and shared with the public. March-July 2011

Council reviews and informally “OKs” a Draft 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting Plan to present at Public Information Meetings

Public Information Meetings to Discuss Draft 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter Redistricting PlanThe following Richmond City Council Public Input and Public Information Meetings will be held to present the Draft 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting Plan to the public to present, discuss and receive public input.

Richmond City Council Discussion of public comments received during the five Richmond City Council Public Information meetings regarding the Richmond City Council Draft 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting PlanRichmond City Council will discuss public comments received during the five Richmond City Council Public Information meetings regarding the Richmond City Council Draft 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting Plan that were held across Richmond during the two-week period of August 8 -16, 2011. May include changes to the draft plan.

Richmond City Council Discussion of public comments received during the five Richmond City Council Public Information meetings regarding the Richmond City Council Draft 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting PlanRichmond City Council will discuss public comments received during the five Richmond City Council Public Information meetings regarding the Richmond City Council Draft 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting Plan that were held across Richmond during the two-week period of August 8 -16, 2011. May include changes to the draft plan.

Richmond City Council Public Hearing/Adoption of 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting PlanRichmond City Council will hold a the following Public Hearing on the Draft 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter Redistricting Plan and vote to officially adopt it during the following Public Richmond City Council Formal Meeting:

STAGE 6 – Approval of the U. S. Department of Justice Richmond City Council will send a copy of the adopted 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter Redistricting Plan (which will be provided to the public) to be approved (cleared) by the United States of America Department of Justice per the U. S. National Voting Rights Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. § 1973–1973aa-6). Anticipated clearance to be received by March 1, 2012

Member of the 2009–2012 RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL _____________________________________

East End 7th DistrictThe Honorable Cynthia I. Newbille, Councilwoman*Richmond City Council - East End 7th District804.646.3012 (office tel)cynthia.newbille@richmondgov.com (email)*Elected November 3, 2009 in special local election

Richmond City Council __________________________________________________________________

MISSION The mission of Richmond City Council is to represent citizens in creating and amending local laws, providing government policy and oversight, and approving the city budget.

VISION Richmond City Council is committed to creating a vibrant community that is a great place to live, work, learn, play, visit and raise a family.

CONTACT _______________________________________________________________________________For more information and/or updated schedule, Richmond citizens should contact the Richmond City Council Councilmember that represents them or Steve Skinner, Council Public Information Manager, Richmond City Council Office of the Council Chief of Staff, at 804.646.6052 (o); or, steven.skinner@richmondgov.com